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1. The Bible, in its original writings (the "autographs"), is the inspired Word of God, down to the very words of the original. The Bible is the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content and without any errors in its statements. Thus, copies and translations of Scripture are the Word of God to the extent that they faithfully represent the originals. God has providentially preserved His Word for humanity; although scribal, copying, translation, and transmission variants exist, none of these variants alter any article or major doctrine of the Christian faith. Rather, the abundance of discovered fragments and manuscripts testify to the accuracy and extent to which God has providentially preserved His Word, so that we may confidently call our Bible both "The Holy Scriptures" and "The Word of God". References: 2 Tim 2:15, Exo 24:12, Exo 32:16, Exo 34:27, Prov 30:5-6, Jer 30:1-2, Mat 5:18, Luke 1:68-70, Luke 24:25-27, John 10:35, Acts 1:16, 1 Th 2:13, 2 Tim 3:16-17, Heb 1:1-2, Heb 4:12, 1 Pet 1:10-12, 2 Pet 1:17-21, 2 Pet 1:1721, Rev 1:1-2, Rev 1:17-19, Rev 22:6, Rev 22:18-21

 

2. There is one God, eternally existent, Creator of Heaven and Earth.  He is manifested in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  References: 2 Cor 13:14, 1 Tim 3:16, Gen 1:26, Heb 9:14, 1 Pet 1:2, 1 Pet 3:18, 1 John 5:6-8, Mat 3:16-17, Mat 28:19, Luke 2:11, Isa 43:11, John 8:24, John 8:58, John 14:9, Gen 1:1-2, John 1:1-3, John 20:28, Isa 7:14, Isa 9:6, Titus 3:4-6, John 14:16-17, John 4:24, John 16:7, Acts 5:3-4.

 

3. The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God who took on human flesh; supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a Jewish virgin named Mary. Jesus lived a sinless life; perfectly fulfilling both the spirit and letter of the Mosaic Law (God's highest standard for morality). The sinless perfection of Jesus was not due to lack testing. Rather, He dwelt among His people, and He was tempted in every way possible including direct temptation by Satan himself.  Jesus overcame every temptation; He is sinless in thought, attitude, and action. Having no sin of His own, He obeyed the will of the Father and voluntarily died on a cross, shedding His blood, as the Perfect, Complete, and only Acceptable Sacrifice for the sin of all mankind. The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross paid for all sins (past, present and future) of all mankind, but the payment is only effective ("applied to the account") to the individual that receives Jesus Christ by faith. Three days after His death, Jesus Christ literally, bodily rose from the dead, and is alive forevermore. All who believe on Jesus Christ, accepting His blood sacrifice, death, and resurrection alone as their payment for sin are justified from all things and have their sins forgiven and forgotten by God. Those who reject Jesus Christ, or seek to add to the work of Jesus Christ, remain under the penalty of their sin because they have not trusted the Person and work of Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  References: John 1:1-4, John 1:10-14, 1 John 3:5, 2 Cor 5:21, Heb 7:26-28, Heb 9:22-28, 1 Pet 2:24, Heb 10:10-14, 1 Tim 2:3-4, 1 Tim 4:10, John 3:1618, Acts 13:38-41. 

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4. God is absolutely sovereign and in His sovereignty gave human beings a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided.  It is God's will that all people would be saved and that none would perish; but He does not make anyone believe. God permits one's destiny to depend upon one's choice. Those who are incapable of making a conscious decision to believe on Jesus Christ, such as unborn babies, infants, young children, and adults who never had the mental capacity for faith, are graciously forgiven of their sins, and given eternal life. However, all who have the capacity to believe are "without excuse" (Rom. 1:20) for their unbelief, and must accept, by faith, salvation God has provided in Jesus Christ.  References: Mat 23:37, Rom 2:11, John 3:16-18, 1 John 2:2, 1 Tim 4:10, Heb 2:9, John 12:32, John 5:40, Acts 7:51, John 6:37, John 6:39, 1 Tim 2:4, 1 Pet 1:2, 2 Pet 3:9, Rom 10:14-17.

 

5. A person receives salvation (the forgiveness of sins and eternal life) by undeserved mercy (grace) through faith in Jesus Christ alone. Eternal salvation is a free gift, paid for by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ and offered to all mankind by a loving God. Thus, no human effort, commitment, promise "to start [something good]", promise "to stop [sinning]", specific prayer, ritual, or any other action, regardless of how good or well-intended, can be offered as payment, in part or in whole, for salvation. Quite the opposite; to attempt to mix human effort of any kind to the Person and work of Jesus Christ is to reject the only way the gift is offered; freely by faith. Salvation is by the finished work of Christ and nothing can be added to it. As Jesus was on the cross, He said, "It is finished". God's offer of salvation in Jesus Christ must be received by faith as a free gift of His grace. It is Christ's gospel. He purchased the gift. He did all the work. It is for us to receive by faith; nothing more; nothing less; nothing else.  References: John 19:30, Rom 11:6, Gal 2:16, Eph 2:8-9, Col 2:13, Titus 3:5.